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Rockies top Twins to open series

Jul 12, 2014 - 5:51 AM Denver, CO (SportsNetwork.com) - Jorge De La Rosa pitched six strong innings and the Rockies got two-run homers from Drew Stubbs and Troy Tulowitzki to beat the Minnesota Twins, 6-2, to open a three-game series.

Pinch-hitter Brandon Barnes added a solo blast for Colorado, which has won three in a row.

De La Rosa (10-6) scattered six hits and allowed a run to win his fourth consecutive start.

"He's been winning games for us during a time it's been tough for us to win games," Rockies manager Walt Weiss said.

Colorado first baseman Justin Morneau finished 0-for-4 in his first game against his former team. Morneau played in Minnesota for 10-plus seasons from 2003-13, winning AL MVP in 2006.

Eduardo Nunez knocked in both runs for the Twins, who had their three-game winning streak snapped.

Kris Johnson (0-1) was charged with eight hits and five runs over four-plus innings.

"They were swinging and they made enough contact where they could get it out of the infield," Johnson said.

Charlie Blackmon singled to start the home first and Stubbs followed with a homer to left-center.

Trevor Plouffe scored on a Nunez groundout in the second, but the Rockies got that run back in the bottom half when Nolan Arenado tripled and scored on Wilin Rosario's base hit to right.

Tulowitzki homered to right with Carlos Gonzalez aboard in the third. Gonzalez, who was activated from the 15-day disabled list Friday, singled in the at-bat prior to Tulowitzki's 21st homer of the year for a 5-1 cushion.

Gonzalez also made a nice play in right field in the top of the third. Kendrys Morales singled, but Gonzalez threw out Brian Dozier trying to advance to third.

The Twins filled the bases in the seventh against Rex Brothers and Adam Ottavino, but Kurt Suzuki grounded out to end the threat.

Barnes homered to left in the bottom half of the inning before Plouffe scored in the eighth on a fielder's choice grounder from Nunez.

Game Notes

Gonzalez missed 35 games after having a tumor removed from his left index finger. To make room on the roster for Gonzalez, the Rockies optioned pitcher Jair Jurrjens to Triple-A Colorado Springs ... Morneau will participate in the Home Run Derby in Minneapolis on Monday ... Minnesota went 0-for-6 with men in scoring position.